Historic Penitentiary
Explore Australia Publishing
Explore Australia Publishing
This historic settlement on the scenic Tasman Peninsula was one of Australia's most infamous penal settlements from the 1830s to the 1870s. Over 12 000 convicts from Britain, some of whom did nothing more than steal some food to survive, were shipped to Port Arthur, dubbed 'Hell on Earth'. They lived under threat of the lash and experimental punitive measures that often drove them to madness. This grim past is offset by the stark beauty of the sandstone buildings overlooking the tranquil, often misty, waters of the bay. Port Arthur is Tasmania's number one tourist attraction.
Visitor Information
Port Arthur Historic Site, Arthur Hwy; (03) 6251 2300 or 1800 659 101
